The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-11-05
Current Events.

Current Events.
On Monday last the appeal of Editor
VIM. O'Brien from the sentence OF three
months Imprisonment imposed by the
Mitchelltown court WAS reviewed and sus-
tanned by the appellate court. AT Cork,
while on his way TO the seat OF the higher
court, he was greeted by an enthusiastic
demonstration. At Middletown another
demonstration was made, but this was sup
pressed by the police. On the hearing DC,
fore the higher court, Mr. O'Brien refused
10 make an argument In his own behalf, as,
he said, the case was already decided, ana
It would be useless. The recorder there
upon passed sentence. After sentence was
passed Mr.. O'Brien sought to speak 10
some friends but In spite OF the protest OF
the recorder and others, the magistrate re.
fused to allow II. The exciting scene fol-
lowing these protests brought out great
crowd who clamored for rescue; but the
police, aided by the priests, who assisted In
keeping order, cleared the streets. On his
arrival at Cork to enter the prison, the
streets were lined with people, but both
the streets and the vicinity of the jail were
occupied by armed police, who preserved
order, and prevented any speaking In the
neighborhOod, though Mr.. Ahern, of the
board of guardians, spoke elsewhere. The
League convention at Cardiff the same
day, passed resolutions of protest against
the proceedings; and Herbert Gladstone
spesking al GLASGOW wished OBrien God.
speed and said the liberals would soon
thwart the coercion act forced upon Ire
land.
On Thursday morning Mr.. O'BIien was
removed from the Cork jail TO jail In
Tullamore, county Kings, where he occu-
pies plank bed In a narrow, cold and
damp cell. The purpose Is to cut him on
If possible from any communication with
the outside world, and apparently to sub
iect him 70 as many indignities as possible
during the three months of his sentence
The Sun correspondent says that should he
be subjected to the full jail discipline, In
such a hole, there is little hope that he
will be able TO survive the treatment, his
health already being delicate. From all
accounts, the jail In which he Is connned
Is about equal to that which not many
years ago disgraced this county, his cell
being eight feet long by six wide and
paved with tlagstones.
The Supreme court on Wednesday last
handed down decision In the anarchist
case, argued before the court last week.
The court refused the writ asked for on
the following grounds, briefly stated
First-That the first ten amendments In
the constitution are limitations upon the
HaAava1 and mn sfafa action
SecOnd--That the jury law Of Illinois Is
upon Its face, valid and constitutional, and
1t ia similar In Its provisions to the statute
OF Utah which was sustained In this cout
In the case OF Hopt vs. the Territory OF
Utah.
Third-That II does not appear In the
record that upon the evidence the trial
court should have declared Juror Sanford
incompetent.
Fourth-That the objection tn the ad
mission of John Most's letter and the cross
examination of Spies, which the counsel
for the prisoners maintained virtually
compelled them TO testify against them
selves, were not objected to In the trial
court, and that therefore no foundation
was laid for the exercise of this courts
Jurisdiction.
Fifth-That the question raised by Gen.
Butler In the case of Spies and Fielden
on the basis of their foreign nationality
were neither raised nor decided In the
state courts, and therefore cannot be con.
sidered here. The writ Of error prayed
must consequently be denied.
The opinion was read by the Chief JUS
tice, and there was no dissenting opinion.
The news was received by the con
demned MEN without comment The
sheriff, however, refused to allow calls OF
curious visitors, only counsel or relations
being admitted to the jail the detectives
on the building Immediately dispersed
over the city; and the guard OF the jail
was increased by officers In citizens dress
Unless the Governor interferes, then, the
execution will take place on next Friday.
No disorder is anticipated by the police
who claim to have every contingency pro-
vided for
A Times special of yesterday says that
on Thursday Chief Justice Waite received
through the mail by special delivery post,
mysterious long flat box, about 6 o'clock
p. m. which had suspicion Of dynamite.
The Chief Justice on being interviewed
said he had received such box and had
opened 1t without Injury, but would vOlun-
teer no Information except that II was
unexpected and Its contents suspicious. He
had received no threatening letters or
warnings
The Governor Is fairly deluged with
petitions for the pardon of the condemned
men. Besides private letters and formal
petitions he receives marked copies OF
labor papers to the same effect, and many
individuals have called on him Parsons,
Lingg, Engel and Fischer early In the
week wrote him open letters, maintaining
both their innocence and the righteousness
of their cause not asking for pardon bu
protesting against their sentence as we'll as
commutation of 1t. They demand jus
tice, not mercy, and say they will accer
nothing short of full, complete liberty
denying that they have violated any law
The Governor gives no sign of his inten-
tons In the matter. None OF the paper
received by him are given to the public
and he refuses 70 talk on the subject
though he will listen TO discussion of 1t
There Is belief that If any Chicag,
committee calls on him TO make argumen
In the anarchists behalf he will hea
them, allowing the Attorney General an,
Judge Grinnell to make reply.